Ohio State crushed Akron in its 2024 season opener. But that's behind behind the Buckeyes now.
Ryan Day says his team has much to improve upon before it clashes with Western Michigan on Saturday. The Ohio State head coach addressed those necessary improvements and more in a brief press conference on Wednesday.
Here's all the news and notes from Day's media session:
- On the areas Ohio State's defense can improve after Week 1: "I would say everything. Three-and-outs, getting off the field on third down. ... Every area of our game has to improve. ... We have to find those inches."
- On Gabe Powers and the pick-six he recorded in the season opener: "He needs to be a contributor for us. We need to play as many guys as we possibly can. Plays like (the pick-six) make a difference. Hopefully, that can springboard him moving forward."
- On Brandon Inniss and the trust Ohio State has in him at punt returner: "Anybody who carries the ball, the whole team is in their hands. We talk a lot about ball security and how important that is. ... These are very big decisions he has to make. ... (Whether or not to field a punt is) a big, big decision. Emeka (Egbuka) has been back there in the past. Brandon is someone we trust. ... If he can continue to make the decisions he made in this past game and take care of the football, then he can be a weapon for us."
- On Ohio State's tight ends and their involvement (or lack thereof) in Week 1: "They're a big part of our offense. I know they only got a couple of targets this past game, but they'll get more than that. ... I think the unit is improving overall." Day said Ohio State will use more tight ends as the season continues and plans to get them more involved in the offense.
- On Western Michigan, the threat the Broncos pose to the Buckeyes: "When you watch the film, you're seeing them play a Big Ten opponent (Wisconsin), which gives us more of a barometer for what we're dealing with. ... It looked like a Big Ten-style game overall. I know that has our guys' attention."
- On Sonny Styles, him filling in at Mike linebacker in the season opener: "He's a very serious young man for his age. Very mature. He came in early, and because of that, he's matured even quicker than we probably thought." Day said Styles puts in work off the field "that nobody sees." Day praised Styles for his work in the weight room with Mick Marotti and the film room with James Laurinaitis. "That's gonna pay off down the road for him. Very versatile."
- On Arvell Reese and his performance against Akron: "Well, I think in year two, it's kind of that year where you like to see guys take strides. There are things he's still working through, but he plays hard. ... He goes really hard. We can work with guys like that when he gives great effort and has physicality. ... He needs to continue to build on that routine. ... If he does that, he's gonna play a lot of football this season."
- Day said Cody Simon and Donovan Jackson went through practice with the Buckeyes on Wednesday. "They both practiced today. They're both still day-to-day right now."
- When asked about Inniss a second time, Day said, "He's done great. ... He is gonna be a big part of our offense this season. We're just getting going with that. The great receivers we've had, they are very much involved on special teams. ... We're gonna find ways to get the ball in his hands." Day called Inniss a playmaker. He also called him contagious and "a guy people like to be around."
- On where Jeremiah Smith can improve after his standout performance in Week 1: "Just working. Continuing to get better. ... But he's got a great work ethic."
